How can you have a living relationship with God without the devil or people stopping it?
This question is a very relevant one. From the beginning the devil has tried to disrupt the relationship between God and man. We all know that he succeeded to a certain extent, but God Himself has taken the initiate to make things right again. God provided a way to himself and this way is His Son, Jesus (John 14:6). So Jesus should be the center of your faith, the Person around whom your whole existence is arranged.
Warnings for the devil
The Bible repeatedly warns for the devil. In Ephesians 4:27 Paul says: “Give no opportunity to the devil.” One way to give him a foothold in your life is mentioned in the preceding verse: letting the sun go down on your anger. So do not allow your anger to linger beyond sundown, do not give opportunity to let it fester and grow and have the devil enter into it and multiplying it. In fact, verses 25 all through 31 mention many sins that give Satan room in your life – actively try to stay away from them. One of the worst of these sins would be: grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit is completely unlike Satan: He does not force Himself on us, but gently nudges us in the direction of a life focused on Jesus Christ (John 16:14). Open the door widely to Him; this way you close it to Satan.
Resist him
1 Peter 5:8 admonishes us to: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The old enemy is still on the prowl! The next verse advises: “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” Firm in your faith – which is based on the Person of Christ, on the fact that He has overcome the world (John 16:33), He has conquered death, He has reconciled us to our Creator (Colossians 1:21,22), He has died for our sins and He has prepared a room for us in heaven (John 14:3). This rock-hard basis in your life helps you to stand your ground, to actively resist the traps and tricks of the devil.
Read the next verse in 1 Peter 5 carefully: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10). Yes, resisting the devil might stretch you even to the point of suffering, but when you do just that, God Himself will reach out to you and your relationship with Him will be more secure and full of life than before!
Protect yourself
Ephesians 6:11 commands us to put on the armor of God, so we can stand against the schemes of the devil. We are in battle, but God has provided the whole armor. Now put it on!
Psalm 1:1 teaches: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” So, don’t hang out with the wrong crowd. Yes, bring the Gospel to those who need it, but do not let yourself be swept up in doing the wrong things, going the wrong places. Instead, meditate on God’s word (Psalm 1:2); make reading the Bible a part of your daily life. Let Jesus be number one in your life, so you can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).